WATCH: Illinois House hears bill banning ‘convertible pistols’ amid ‘switch’ concerns

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois legislators are contemplating a bill to prohibit the sale of certain types of pistols that can be converted from semi-automatic to full auto.

So-called “switches” are already banned by the state’s law prohibiting the sale and possession of certain semi automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols.

State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, said they need to go further and prohibit the sale of handguns that can accept such “switches” with a $20 to $30 part that can be bought online or created with a 3D printer.

“This bill would nudge the gun industry to innovate toward safety by prohibiting the future retail sale to civilians of any semiautomatic handguns that can be easily converted into fully automatic machine guns solely by the installation of a switch,” Slaughter said of his bill.

The measure would not apply to individuals who have such firearms in their possession right now and would only target firearms dealers who sell models that can take such a conversion. Penalties include monetary fines and loss of state firearms retailers license.

House Bill 4471 was heard during a subject matter hearing. No action was taken.

During committee debate, state Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, questioned Alison Shih from Everytown for Gun Safety about a similar law in California.

“[July 1], it’s fully in effect, but it is not enjoined or blocked,” Shih said of California’s law.

“So we don’t yet know how effective the law is in reducing possession of these firearms in the state, or sale of these firearms in the state,” Windhorst said.

Legislators return to Springfield on Tuesday. Session ends May 31.

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